Frustrated when you can’t seem to hit your goals? Me too! This year I’ve been focusing on productivity and especially in this season – how to create a plan that really works.

1. Get clear on your vision.

This year I decided I was getting back into gardening. I wanted to grow some delicious food and beautiful flowers. So I did research on what vegetables and flowers I wanted to grow, how much space I had, what kind of materials I would need. I had a vision and I could imagine how it would feel to have the homegrown vegetables and beautiful flowers on my table.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.

Carl Jung

Take some time, write down your dreams and ideas around one specific goal. There is a saying if you want to build a staircase, you have to build it one step at a time. Let’s design the plan to build the staircase and then concentrate on each daily step. We aren’t building the entire staircase in one day! Starting with a clear vision is key to creating a plan that really works.

2. Get family buy in/support.

When I decided on gardening, I knew the kids would enjoy planting and watering. They helped me pick out the seeds and put them in the ground. The boys love helping me water, sometimes every day, sometimes a few days a week.

Sometimes it’s easy to get your family to support you in your goals. Other times you have to explain your vision and passion to get them onboard. Even sometimes you just have to tell them what you need. Communicating to our families our plans and passions is another key to creating a plan that really works.

3. Take action.

I first had to buy the seeds, containers or pots and then do the research for how to plan out the garden. I thought buying the seeds was a good start… until they sat for a week before I planted them. Planting them was the next step. Then I had to water them each day. I had to keep watch out for weeds. You get the idea. Each day I had to keep taking action to move forward in my gardening journey.

You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Just start. Put in on paper. Make a plan. Then get to work. Plant the seeds, water the flowers, talk to that potential client. Get moving. Pick one task to start moving forward each day. You’ve got to start somewhere to create a plan that really works.

4. Track and evaluate.

I keep track the daily watering of my garden and I can easily evaluate how my plan is working based on what is growing. Sometimes your goals might not be as easy to evaluate as seeing a green sprout. My favorite way to track daily progress is using a calendar to mark off my daily action steps. Seeing check marks and checking things off is my favorite motivator.

Take time to see how things are going. Is your plan working? Make sure your goals have tangible milestones to evaluate what is working and what isn’t. Being able to track and evaluate is a another piece to creating a plan that really works.

5. Pivot and adjust.

When some of my plants weren’t doing well in the spot I had planted them, I had to move them to get more sun or move from the pot to the garden. I started out just watering once a day, but found some plants needed more water.

Determine what is working and what adjustments need to be made. Sometimes we have to pivot and adjust to get to the end goal. It’s all important to keeping on your plan that really works.

6. Celebrate milestones.

It’s easy to celebrate growing flowers and vegetables. They look beautiful and taste delicious.

Make sure to celebrate your wins and every small accomplishment! It’s important to remember the journey is as important as the end goal. Take time to acknowledge and celebrate each milestone. What you’re accomplishing is important and exciting! It also reminds you to stay motivated and focused on your vision.

Now you have all the steps to make a plan that really works! Can’t wait to see how you implement and move forward!